WARNING: Contents Under Pressure

Preface: As usual, I am adding the preface after I finish my post. This may be TMI for some of you. I’m sorry. Well, not really. If this is TMI for you, then don’t read it…Of course you won’t know that until you read it. So, it’s up to you. Enter at your own risk.

The back of the label on the air freshener can in the bathroom at my work states the title of this post.

WARNING: Contents Under Pressure.

You bet the contents in this tiny little can are under pressure. With at least 30 people using this bathroom multiple times throughout the day, doing the natural business of life on a porcelain throne, disposing of a wide variety of toxic waste from varied diets, the role of the air freshener is very important. When I walk into a bathroom, especially a “one-holer”, I don’t want to throw up in my mouth before going about my business. The air freshener keeps this from occurring.

Using the bathroom is not not a big part of my life, but it is very necessary for me to continue a high level of productivity throughout the day. If that bathroom is an unpleasant experience for me, my productivity decreases, at least slightly (and then multiply that by 30 people who will have similar experiences when the air freshener doesn’t do it’s job). The olfactory unit of my body deserves attention, respect, and care. My nose is inundated with a vast range of smells due to the nature of my job—bacterias, though small, have very powerful smells. I don’t want a bad experience in the bathroom just because I have a job with “bad” smells already. In fact, the bathroom is my place I escape to for at least 30 seconds, 3-4 times daily. It’s a place of solitude and a place to regroup. No one wants to regroup when all they can smell is toxic waste.

So, air freshener can—yes, your contents are under pressure to perform, just like the rest of us. You have to do your job so I can do mine. You are small but you are important. Don’t forget that. I need you to keep working…every day…all day.